Teratophoneus is a type of dinosaur that lived during a time called the Late Cretaceous period, around 76.5 to 75.5 million years ago. This dinosaur was found in what is now southern Utah.
The name “Teratophoneus” means “monstrous murderer” in Greek. It is a part of the Tyrannosaur family, which includes famous dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex. The only known species of this genus is called Teratophoneus curriei, named in honor of famous paleontologist Philip J. Currie.
**Discovery**
The remains of Teratophoneus were discovered in the Kaiparowits Formation. This area has fossils that are important for studying dinosaurs since they come from a specific time, between 76.1 and 74.0 million years ago.
The first fossils were identified in 2011, and since then, more specimens have been found, including ones from different individuals. One notable find in 2017 at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument added to what we know about this dinosaur.
**Description**
The remains of Teratophoneus show that it was a large dinosaur. Estimates suggest it could have been around 6 to 8.7 meters long. The skull of this dinosaur had some unique features, which might have helped it have a stronger bite.
Compared to other members of its family, Teratophoneus had a shorter skull and was pretty deep, which might have allowed for stronger jaw muscles.
**Social Behavior**
There is evidence that suggests Teratophoneus might have lived and hunted in groups. This idea comes from a discovery of several bones found together, indicating these animals may have died in the same event, possibly due to flooding.
**Ecology**
Teratophoneus lived in a rich environment. During its time, the area was near a large sea and had many wetlands, which supported various kinds of plants and animals. Alongside it, other dinosaurs like hadrosaurs and ceratopsians roamed the land.
In summary, Teratophoneus is an exciting dinosaur that helps scientists understand more about the tyrannosaur family and life during the Late Cretaceous period in North America.